33

 

1. I’m thankful to the Lord God for a bountiful, healthy and blessed year.

2. I am praying for another good year once again.

3. I see life as a journey that is becoming more meaningful each day.

4. I feel loved more than ever and it is such an honor to love you back my dear WCW.

5. I adore my children and they always bring happiness.

6. I will always love and care for them even though they will at times annoy me just as much.

7. I am thankful for my mom everyday.

8. I grew wiser and more mature in a good sense for each and every year that I age.

9. I still keep gaining weight and like the previous year, I will strive to shed off the fats.

10. I have read more and more books and I don’t have plans to stop. Once and for all, reading is a good vice.

11. I was able to travel to three South East Asian Countries within a year and for me that is an accomplishment to be  able to tick off a few on the bucket list.

12. I find Singapore as the most beautiful among the three destinations that I have visited this year.

13.  I will not turn down opportunities to visit all those places once again if given a chance. I had good memories and I had lots of fun!

14. I am proud of my children’s achievements in swimming. Mother as I am, I will always be supportive.

15. I believe that education is wealth, Therefore, I should be as motivating and inspiring to my children so they will value education and learning as much as I do.

16. I financially earned a lot but I spent a lot more.

17. I have long realized that stuff can be enjoyed even if they don’t come in expensive branded names. This principle will still remain.

18.  I will try to entertain more ideas on saving and investing. Who knows, accompanied with my faith and hardwork, I might get lucky and become rich.

19. I don’t believe in unemployment. I guess, it is just an excuse used by those lazy bums who are healthy and able.

20. I gained more friends and I hope I didn’t lose some.

21. I am thankful for the internet and the new technology of this generation. It plays a  huge part on how the wheels of our lives are turning.

22. I love my family and everybody in the clan who surrounds me. When all else fails, family is everything I will have left.  It was such a rough year for us but so far…….. so good.

23. I miss my Grandmother so, so much. I thought I was all prepared for her leaving us but I was wrong. May you rest in peace Mama Natz. Till then……

24. I still cry and sob with thoughts of her. Life indeed is short and uncertain. I promise to do my best to live and appreciate the gift of people around me.

25. I have hurt anyone, someone. For that, I am deeply sorry and I apologize.

26. I have been hurt and feel betrayed. I forgive. It always feels better in the end.

27. I am contented with what life has to offer me. Still, I am human…. I am seeking for greener pastures. Perhaps, a more comfortable and convenient set up than the present.

28. I plan to face another challenge, or should I say, I slowly inched my steps towards it. I pray to be successful in this battle.

29. I believe everything happens for a reason. I won’t exchange for anything all that I have been through.

30. I want an iPhone. Well, that is the “material-girl-me” speaking. Of course, a lot more of “something else”.

31. I am happy. I truly am.

32. I am blessed. I am forever thankful.

33. I am turning 33 today. 8th of October is my birthday!

I am back…

First and foremost, I would like to give a special shout out to all my blogging pals who- even in my absence never fails to drop me a tweet or two, a comment and reaction, poking my system and simply asking how things are. These may sound too simple but it mean so much to me because it tells me that you all care. You know who you are guys, so Thank You!

I am okay and in a very fine state, so.. no worries to you all. I am once again in an adjustment period which to my case will always leave me standing on a pedestal where it can easily cause me to stumble had I not watch my balance. I admit, I am pretty clueless, idea-less or somewhat speechless that is similar to what they call a ‘writer’s block’ except that I don’t consider myself a writer. I am currently taking career development steps that is basically the reason that takes most of my time lately, which will be beneficial to me and to the future of my family if I will succeed.

I need all the positive energy and vibes in the world. I need all the encouragement I can gather and embrace. Most of all, I need all the support and inspiration. As a come back, I want to share to you these inspiring words.

Blog Award Game

I have mentioned that Mrs. Hobbles always has her own way of spicing things up. Well, blog awards definitely is no exemption.  Her creative mind comes up with this Blog Award Game. By the way, Mrs. Hobbles, is there a correct answer to these? If there is, I probably fail!

 

Blog Award Game: Since these awards are all about getting to know each other, fill in the blanks with things I might think/say/do in the following situations (feel free to make these up):

The craziest thing I’ve done is _____________________________________

I can’t believe you _____________________________________________

My favorite thing is ____________________________________________

The last time I was at a psychiatrist they ______________________________

I’m sorry, I __________________________________________________

Of course anyone is welcome to play this game on your own blog with your readers. Send me the link and I will try to guess what you might do. Thanks again!

………………………………………………………………….

Here is my participation:

The craziest thing I’ve done is       literally stalk my followers and blog readers!     

I can’t believe you     you actually took time to answer this! ha! ha!                    

My favorite thing is     my phone, so I can blog anytime and anywhere I want.      

The last time I was at a psychiatrist they     gave me some ice cream and took my picture!. 

I’m sorry, I     don’t know what to say right now.     

There!

I know the rules says that anyone can play on this game. The statements were so simple yet I did some serious brainstorming. It is a good way of checking if the people whom you thought know you, really did. As a little rule breaking, I would recommend this to the following bloggers, because I want to know their answers.

- The Way I live Naturally

- Micanonymous

- The Tale of My Heart

- Words fall from my Eyes

- An Evil Nymp’s Blog

- Life in the Farcelane

- Familiar Haven

- Crumpled Papers and Little Thoughts

- Silly Frog’s Blog

- Joy Returns

-  Changeversations

Hoping to get responses!

Awards

 

I opened my WordPress dashboard and this award greeted me. Today is such a lovely Monday morning! First of all, I would like to acknowledge a truly great blogger and one of my favorites for giving me this award. Do pay her site a visit; its  ONLINE DATING JOURNAL . Take my word, her posts are worth reading specially for us all fun-fearless-fantabulously-wonderful women of this generation and you will surely follow to keep updated!

So here’s the thing: THE RULES

• Thank the person/people who nominated you and link back to them in your post.
• Share seven possibly unknown things about yourself.
• Nominate fifteen or so bloggers you admire.
• Contact the chosen bloggers to let them know and link back to them.

This is how I follow THE RULES:

• I am recommending my readers to check out my nominator and find out how awesome of a person she is and it is the least  of my only way to thank her.

Seven things about me:

 This blog is basically telling you all about me and my routine. I don’t think I will be able to share UNKNOWN things about my self. I have to discover them first.  Anything new? Well, let’s see….

- I’m still struggling to loose as much weight as I can. In fact, this issue isn’t even new at all. But, it is something I wish to constantly succeed and to maintain keeping the success.

- I still pretty much remember people’s birthdays- with or without the help of Facebook birthday reminder. I love greeting people on their birthdays. Life is good and we should live every bit of it to it’s fullest. An additional year means we lived the past year and will be looking forward to another year of great life. For the people who felt the past year was a mess, a birthday  will surely give hope to surpass it.

- I always thought motherhood is not for me and  believed I suck big  time portraying such role. Being a mom is the toughest job on Earth! I met other parents around my circle and I’ve heard the same struggles they went through everyday. To see other “horrible” kids’ attitude, harder to manage and control than my own kids’ made me realize that  I, after all did a pretty good job. So, Motherhood can be such a pain in the a**, but the self satisfaction it offers is the best and nothing comes close! (aside of course, great sex and love making with the one you love is also a thumbs-up in another category)

- I want to go back to school  but not sure what to study this time. I also wanted to learn more about  SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMAZION (SEO) and hopes to be really good at it. I’m currently searching for easy and free tutorials online. Recommendations? Anyone?

- Crazy for books- still is, and this isn’t new too.

- I envy craft genius people. They are such talented individuals with hands and minds that are so good with designs and ideas. Wish I can be one- trying but not happening,…never happened.

- I received a death-threat from a no-good jerk. The mean, worthless prick  was drunk and chose me of all people, who is half the globe away from him, who almost never interacts with him, as a target for such dumb bull shitting over Facebook Private Messages. Talking about cyber-bullying! I blocked him already. Lesson learned, even if the person was a good acquaintance or you may have shared a joke or two in the past, if they are known to be such an a**h**le most of the time, NEVER EVER add them as friends or accept friend requests because once a retard will always stay retarded for the rest of their life.(pardon me for all the not-so-impressive adjectives, I can’t help it.)

Here are the top-15 bloggers that I come to love.

• On Chocolate Hill – authored by my gradeschool and high school friend, Marj.
• Micanonymous – Fellow Filipina – smart, modern and young feminist
• My Story to You – first ever WordPress follower and friend- Andy
• The laughing Housewife – Tillybud’s hilarious posts.
• Three Months to Forty – Sill_G’s single woman stories
• OhmyGawd, just do what I say – musings on life , family and friendship
• What I mean to Say – Mrs. Cap’n Firepants’ blog
• Guapola – authored by El Guapo (the handsome)
• The tale of my Heart – love and life straight from the heart
• Young Force – voice of the youth by one and only Tagum City pride- Vince
• Hobbling Around – Mrs.Hobbles, she usually has her own version of blogger awards but she is in my top-15.
• Hot Chocolate and Books – fellow booklover
• Pasta for One – Cakes McCain’s Italian adventure
• The Way I live naturally – young at heart Shira
• Morning Erection – who doesn’t love one? , Check out Mr. Tom Baker

I constantly follow more than just these fifteen bloggers. I can list them all and make my blog the directory of awesome bloggers. Yes, I can go on. For now, pay these sites a visit!

Once again, Thanks!

Time and Karma

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Thursday TOPs- Top lO ways to release STRESS

(photo credit:Google)

I found the image above while surfing the net. In fact, it was pinned and re-pinned on Pinterest almost every day. Among all the “STRESS FREE” ideas, I like this the most because I have tried doing all that is listed. Believe me, they’re effective, so it does work! I was surprised that I was able to find this image having all of this simple ideas together. I know it is not as complicated as brain surgery because I am making such a fuss about it but it is just surprising. Among ten, my favorite is SMILE!

What a swimmer’s parent must know…

As the team management’s secretary of my children’s swimming team, the coach asked me to search and check out websites of different Swimming Federations and Associations so as to get ideas to develop the team, more considering that we are newbies and rookies to the field. Browsing around, I was able to find these thoughts to ponder, not for the swimmers but for the most important factor on a swimmer’s life- the PARENTS. Reading the content, I made a conclusion that this doesn’t just apply to a swimmer’s parent but to all parents in general. Hence, I am posting this for all the world to see.

…………….…………

10 Commandments for Swimming Parents
by Rose Snyder, Managing Director Coaching Division, USOC
Former Director of Club Services, USA Swimming
(adapted from Ed Clendaniel’s 10 Commandments for Little League Parents)

I. Thou shalt not impose thy ambitions on thy child.

Remember that swimming is your child’s activity. Improvements and progress occur at different rates for each individual. Don’t judge your child’s progress based on the performance of other athletes and don’t push them based on what you think they should be doing. The nice thing about swimming is every person can strive to do their personal best and benefit from the process of competitive swimming.

II. Thou shalt be supportive no matter what.

There is only one question to ask your child after a practice or a competition – “Did you have fun?” If meets and practices are not fun, your child should not be forced to participate.

III. Thou shalt not coach thy child.

You are involved in one of the few youth sports programs that offer professional coaching, do not undermine the professional coach by trying to coach your child on the side. Your job is to provide love and support and a safe place to return at the end of the day. Love and hug your child no matter what. The coach is responsible for the technical part of the job. You should not offer advice on technique or race strategy or any other area that is not yours. And above all, never pay your child for a performance. This will only serve to confuse your child concerning the reasons to strive for excellence and weaken the swimmer/coach bond.

IV. Thou shalt only have positive things to say at a swimming meet.

If you are going to show up at a swimming meet, you should be encouraging, but never criticize your child or the coach. Both of them know when mistakes have been made. And remember “yelling at” is not the same as “cheering for”.

V. Thou shalt acknowledge thy child’s fears.

A first swimming meet, 500 free or 200 IM can be a stressful situation. It is totally appropriate for your child to be scared. Don’t yell or belittle, just assure your child that the coach would not have suggested the event if your child was not ready to compete in it. Remember your job is to love and support your child through all of the swimming experience.

VI. Thou shalt not criticize the officials.

If you do not care to devote the time or do not have the desire to volunteer as an official, don’t criticize those who are doing the best they can.

VII. Honor thy child’s coach.

The bond between coach and swimmer is a special one, and one that contributes to your child’s success as well as fun. Do not criticize the coach in the presence of your child, it will only serve to hurt your child’s swimming.

VIII. Thou shalt be loyal and supportive of thy team

It is not wise for parents to take their swimmers and to jump from team to team. The water isn’t necessarily bluer in another team’s pool. Every team has its own internal problems, even teams that build champions. Children who switch from team to team are often ostracized for a long, long time by the teammates they leave behind and are slowly received by new team mates. Often times swimmers who do switch teams never do better than they did before they sought the bluer water.

IX. Thy child shalt have goals besides winning.

Most successful swimmers are those who have learned to focus on the process and not the outcome. Giving an honest effort regardless of what the outcome is, is much more important than winning. One Olympian said, “My goal was to set a world record. Well, I did that, but someone else did it too, just a little faster than I did. I achieved my goal and I lost. Does this make me a failure? No, in fact I am very proud of that swim.” What a tremendous outlook to carry on through life.

X. Thou shalt not expect thy child to become an Olympian.

There are 250,000 athletes in USA Swimming and we keep a record of the Top 100 all time swimming performance by age group. Only 2% of the swimmers listed in the all-time Top 100 10 & Under age group make it to the Top 100 in the 17-18 age group and of those only a small percentage will become elite level, world class athletes. There are only 52 spots available for the Olympic Team every four years. Your child’s odds of becoming an Olympian is about .0002%.

note to self

As soon as I opened my eyes this morning or just about 45 minutes ago, I smiled. Finding my children awake a little bit ahead of time than I did is not common. It means, I don’t have to shake and scream at them to get up and get going so they won’t be late for swimming training  and since my day already started good enough, I guess it won’t hurt if I add one small positive thought and hoping it would last the day.

So, here is a thing for the mind:

 

I’ll be off to kid’s school for enrollment. Expecting long lines and bitching parents, snobbish school staff and annoying tuition fee increase on student accounts statement that I will be receiving later, hence I will keep in mind that I need to be awesome today. How to do it? I exactly don’t know.. So help me God!

Have a good day everyone!

Happiness

 

Everybody wishes to be HAPPY- it is just a matter of choice.

VISA- the odds were never in my favor

 

I went to sleep late last night, or should I say way to early today since it was barely 1am when I finally dozed off and here I am now, fully awake and clicking keys to this laptop after four hours. Hmm.. some slumber huh? I am thinking too much about the “predicament” that dearHusband and I got from the Saudis yesterday. Well, I know I haven’t mentioned this before but I guess I am now. Few months back, dearHusband and I decided to apply on a visit visa for myself to be with him in Saudi Arabia, where he is currently stationed for the months of April and May, since, kids will be off school. Come March and dearHusband came home for vacation without the requested visa. Originally, we planned  for myself to be flying back with him,—that plan didn’t happen obviously as him and I still does our daily late chats and frequent text messages during the day. You know why? Because the Saudis just can’t do things right! In short, Visa applications, processing et al were messed up once again, take note: ONCE AGAIN, as this isn’t the first time, causing more delays and possibly a hopeless look out for plans not materializing, thanks to them!!

So, this is the “predicament” which was handed to dearHusband yesterday which I will describe as a paper called VISA SLIP. So yeah… the request was granted after all. In fairness to them, it took more than three months from the day dearHusband filed it before February 2012.

First of all, I want to say that upon receiving the news I was ecstatic and delightedly excited. Who wouldn’t? I know Saudi Arabia is not exactly a must-go or must-spend a vacation type of destination because FUN is not among their vocabulary but come to think of it, I would be spending time with dearHusband and even if that quality time is spent in a boring sandbox, it is still quality time. Couples should be together I believe, regardless of when, where and how. Since making a living is a way to live our lives, painful as it is we had to deal with the odds not in our favor and settle for long distance relationship.

Going back to the “predicament” shown above which I made some alterations for discretion obviously. It is written in Arabic for crying out loud and I cannot understand a freakin’ word it said except for my name. Well anyway, translation isn’t really a problem for me to get stress about as this document needs to be processed still. Upon inquiries, I learned that it will take at least another week or a little more for me to legally and officially allowed to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, sans the travelling time and politely considering availability of flights. Contemplating carefully on this plan, I hate to realize that there won’t be any time left for me to spend quality time with dearHusband. There’s a little over three weeks more for month of May left before its over and by the time this visa is ready, month of June is quickly approaching and kids will be back to school again. Before I knew it, I only got what- a week for sandbox quality time? Don’t get me wrong, every second to be together with dearHusband is worth all this crap we’re both dealing with. I would die for that 1 week or say 2 weeks hopefully for some solo QT at the sandbox but hey… I’m practical too. International airfares this close to a date is not cheap. "Suck it up and get over it!” <— I just told myself that!